Oct/Nov IVF, ICSI & FET - Let's do this!

[Marmite83]

Hi all

I recently had a mmc from my first IVF cycle and am waiting for AF to appear (probably 3-4 weeks away) so we can do FET. I think we'll probably go for a natural cycle but am waiting for some information from my clinic to make a final decision. Had follow up consultation yesterday and will be having nurse consultation in the next couple of weeks hopefully. If anyone is happy to share their FET experiences I'd love to hear them. A little worried that a natural cycle might be the wrong choice. Anyway, if anyone fancies joining me for some support then join the thread.

Thanks @sometimesalways. Feeling ok although a little aggravated tonight, my Mum has just left and she was really getting on my nerves tonight, more than normal. Maybe the progesterone is making me extra touchy or maybe it's nerves or maybe my Mum was just more annoying than normal . Hang in there, nearly at OTD!!

@Russkispy it started at 4w 4d and the first red bleed was 5w. When I spoke to the clinic they said the most important thing is to continue with the meds.

Thank you @Betsyboo87 that's what my coordinator told me and I'm doing so. At night was more pink watery bleed. Still don't know what to think but go with the flow.
Just found this article. And hoping for the best 🤞🏻

During an egg donation pregnancy, there’s a higher risk of experiencing bleeding during the first trimester. While this can be scary, bleeding is often just a sign that the levels of estrogens and progesterone in your uterine blood have decreased, which can cause the uterus to have a menstrual-like reaction. If you experience bleeding, contact your doctor. In most cases, the bleeding does not impact your baby.

Hi can I join this thread with you lovely ladies? I've started my first ivf cycle last Wednesday and on day 10 of buserelin jabs. I'm 36, my husband has recently undergone chemotherapy so we froze some sperm last year. We were trying with no results for about 2 years previously. I haven't had my period yet and baseline scan is Wednesday. I am having cramps though. Do I need to ring the clinic and let them know? Yesterday I felt so emotional and freaked out about the whole thing but a bit better today. I told my boss last week as I was worrying about time off and he was very understanding. That was a bit of a weight off. We are away next weekend nd I'm worrying that the drugs say they need to be kept in the fridge? Feel a bit silly for booking things in but we really needed some things to look forward to after the year we've had with my husband's cancer. Sending hugs and a big hello and positive vibes to everyone xxx

@Roobles79 it's such a stressful time. If you are worried about anything just give them a call.
If you're going away I would transport them in a cool bag (with ice pack) and then do you have a room fridge? Worth asking the hotel. If not then I would just ask the hotel to put the cool bag in their fridge.

@Russkispy Sorry you're going through this on top of it already being worrying. I think you're right to stay calm and trust the coordinators. Lots of times bleeding doesn't mean bad things, so try to stay positive, easier said than done I know.

@Betsyboo87 Good to hear from you, must have been lovely and a relief to have that scan and hear the heart beat!

@sometimesalways Thanks, yes, it's now going really quickly!

@BettySwoll0cks Hope you avoid the OHSS, sounds like your follicles are responding really well though and egg retrieval isn't long now. I know how you feel though, it's not comfortable at all.

@Roobles79 Sorry things are stressful at the moment, it's really not a fun time, let alone with the extra challenges you've both had. Getting things off your chest on here will hopefully help you, no doubt someone else has/is going through exactly the same thing too. I'm glad your work is supportive, and I second the ice pack/cool bag option for your weekend away.

So in the spirit of thinking positive. I might like to shop around a bit for a better price for our meds, if I turn out to be pregnant - as it would mean having to buy new meds for another 6 weeks or more, meaning a couple of £k at least if I go with the company my clinic works with by default. Has anybody found any pharmacies that I can order progesterone from that might have slightly better prices?
If I am not preg, then I could use the knowledge for a potential future cycle.

DH rather overoptimistically suggested that the nhs might fund the rest of the meds as if I am pregnant then I'd get in the system as normal. But i somehow doubt it works like that surely?

@sometimesalways I would like to research this too! I need progesterone and oestrogen. I have heard good things about Asda so I may investigate that. Do share what you find please.

@sometimesalways also are you sure it will be thousands? That seems incredibly hefty for progesterone! And no, sadly the nhs won't fund the meds I don't think

@sometimesalways @justtheonethen I get my progesterone from Asda. Apparently their policy is that they don't make any money on IVF meds so they charge customers their cost price. If you ring up your local one that has a pharmacy they'll be able to tell you the prices over the phone. My clinic charges for external prescriptions so I got enough to get to 14 weeks because even if this cycle doesn't work out I'll end up using it next cycle any way.

Embie is on board . Feeling a bit sore down there but otherwise all good.

Lovely @Marmite83 fingers crossed for you! And welcome to the 2ww!
Thank youalso for the tips re: Asda. After researching a bit on other threads it does seem they are the cheapest. I will call up and ask. Thank you.

@justtheonethen I think my clinic is working with a super expensive pharmacy. Or it's just that lubion, which I am using, is a more expensive option. I paid something close to a grand for 3 weeks worth of progesterone (lubion and cyogest) and inhixa injections. It did seem a lot but I stupidly didn't question it back then. But I will def do my research now as this ivf business will make us bankrupt if we are not careful

It’ll be the Inhixa that was really expensive.

I am also planning to purchase Lubion in advance of a BFP (as testing over Xmas and don’t need the hassle of sourcing at holiday time). It is £8 a vial at Asda. Stork are a few pence cheaper but have a dispensing/delivery charge of around £40 (can’t exactly remember). Cyclogest is cheap.

Asda said Lubion can take 5-7 working days to be ordered in

@Marmite83 yay! Snuggle in little embie

@Anaesthetist83 stork is a £50 charge now 😤

I hadn't even considered getting the drugs elsewhere so thank you! It cost us £750 for around 3 weeks of drugs, and I had some left over from last time that was still in date, plus all the syringes and needles. So it'll probably be over 3 times that getting it from the pharmacy the clinic use.

I don't think Inhixa is expensive though, it's about £2 a syringe. Compared to about £30 per syringe for my progesterone!

@justtheonethen thank you so much. Good idea re. Cool bag. I thought about cancelling the trip but think it will be good for a distraction. Been feeling quite emotional last few days. Period still not arrived and scan is weds eek! 😕X

Evening everyone! Thank you very much @mincedpea. It's really nice to have somewhere to chat and reassurance. Will be shopping for a suitable size cool bag this week then haha. After baseline scan is it then two jabs per day and a pessary or are they after egg collection? How many days do people recommend taking off work to recover from egg collection and transfer? I've got just four days annual leave left til Jan! Will have to use wisely. Thank you xx

Oh nooooooo @Anaesthetist83 I paid double that for my lubion 
That'll teach me not to do my research. Asda all the way next time I need meds for whatever reason. And yes I checked my meds price list and lubion is the most expensive.

@Roobles79 I had a holiday booked during my last cycle and took a cool bag it was all super easy and airport was fine. Just make sure you get a letter from your clinic about travelling with medication and needles, and it will be fine!

Ah sorry, Inhixa is clexane not Humira

@Roobles79 I could have gone back to work straight after both but I had the rest of the day off.

And @Roobles79 you absolutely should go on the trip! It's a horrible time and you should do fun stuff.

@Roobles79 oh definitely don't cancel! As you said the distraction will do you good. And if you're not sure whether there will be a fridge where you're going maybe you can buy a mini plug in one?

My collection was Saturday and I went back to work as normal on Monday. After transfer the first time I was back at my desk within 20 mins and felt fine. Latest transfer was Friday afternoon so I went straight home and didn't do much but I happily could have gone back to work and my consultant advised to carry on as normal as far as possible.

Fingers crossed either your collection or transfer will be just before or on the weekend anyway.

How's everyone doing? I have been tired a lot this weekend, even though we didn't do anything crazy. and getting dizzy when I stand up. Knackered by evening.. all these sound like classic progesterone symptoms although I wonder why they hit me now and not earlier.. also don't remember having this in my last cycle. It is SO hard not to speculate!

OTD is this Thursday so thankfully the wait is almost over. Anybody else testing this week? OTD or otherwise?

@updownleftrightstart have you tested again?

@Marmite83 what did you decide to do with testing, are you checking for hCG every day?

@Russkispy how are you?

@sometimesalways I'm shattered too. Doesn't help we had an early start (for me!) today. No other real symptoms though apart from drug side effects. But the utrogestan side effects are awful (they were last time though).
I took another test last night and definitely positive! I think I'll try to hold out now until Friday which is OTD

That's good news @updownleftrightstart!

@sometimesalways I take my second Gonasi shot tomorrow so will prob test it out from Tuesday. Bought some cheapie tests ready. Do you think you'll manage to hold out until Thurs? I'll be 3dp5dt then so would be far too early for an actual positive. May end up regretting it though if things get confusing

@updownleftrightstart that's good news! If it's positive then no reason it won't still be so in a few days. You're definitely heading in the right direction

@Marmite83 yes that makes sense re: testing. So I imagine the line would slowly fade and then hopefully reappear? Or just never disappear? Fingers crossed!

As for me Yeah I think I will wait. I feel kinda nice now in a cup half full type of thinking where I am enjoying the feeling that I might be pregnant. So i don't want to spoil it haha
Aka denial